Search launched after periscope sighting in waters off west coast of Scotland

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A SPY submarine sparked a massive search off the west coast of Scotland after its periscope was spotted.

The mission to find the sub began last month and only ended - without success - last week, it has emerged.

Britain called on the help of aircraft from Nato allies, with planes from the US, France and Canada flying out of RAF Lossiemouth.

The UK no longer has its own fixed-wing aircraft specifically designed to search for submarines.

The hunt was said have been launched after the periscope sighting in waters where Royal Navy submarines normally surface as they head to and from their Faslane base on the Clyde.

The Ministry of Defence would not confirm it was looking for a foreign submarine.

But there has been an increase of Russian military activity in recent months.

An MoD spokesman said: “Nato partners have provided assistance for the operation of maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth for a limited period with the Royal Navy. We do not discuss the detail of maritime operations.”

At the height of the search, two US Navy P-3 Orions, a Royal Canadian Airforce Aurora and a French Dassault Atlantique were involved.

An RAF Sentinel spy-plane and a Royal Navy warship also took part.

The incident comes more than a month after Sweden halted its search for what was believed to be a foreign submarine operating in its territorial waters.

On 28 November, a Royal Navy patrol boat shadowed four Russian navy warships on transit through the English Channel.

At the time the Navy said that it did not send a warship as the smaller patrol vessel HMS Tyne was adequate for the job.

It was reported that the fleet escort warship assigned to protect Britain’s territorial waters was taking part in the search for the suspect vessel off the coast of Scotland at that time.